They are amazingly powerful things, words are, especially for often
being invisible, coming only from our mouths, invisible messages transmitted
from one to another. Yet they have the power to build up and to tear down,
encourage and discourage, empower and disempower, express ideas and destroy
people. Every invisible word we speak has an immediate impact on those who
hear. They are amazingly powerful
things, words are.
I am a purveyor of words: speaking, blogs, books and dialogue. I play
with them, carefully consider them and use them as a craftsman uses his or her
tools. They are my tools and powerful tools, words are. Finding a new word to
convey the right meaning is like striking a vein of gold so powerful those
words can be. Putting them in sequence for the right effect is like arranging
the books on my study shelves because arrangement matters.
Our words reveal the temperature of our hearts for what is inside
tumbles out, sometimes unwittingly and with later regret. “Did I say that? That
way? I hurt you! I cannot believe I said that!” Our words the invisible
revealer of the invisible us. Once unleashed, never to be recalled. We can only
use other words to minimize the damage but those terrible words, ever invisible
live on in the hearts of those who were wounded by them. Our words have betrayed us, or revealed us
and the ugly remnants of our sinful humanity. They are amazingly powerful
things, words are.
Being invisible and coming so easily we pay too little attention to
our words. Jesus told us to consider our words. James warned us of the power
for good or for evil they contain. Proverbs speaks often of words and their
impact for good and evil. Paul wrote of words that should not be spoken and
words that should be spoken. Because they are amazingly powerful things, words
are.
It is easy to allow our words to become useless items frittered away
on topics that are base and in ways that are harsh – other people the likely
target of our spiritual poverty. They are precious things, words are, because
of their power. To loose them carelessly is to squander opportunity and to
diminish the wonderful gift they can be. For our words can shape entire lives
or diminish the same so powerful they are and so long they live invisible yet
remembered.
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be
acceptable to you O Lord. For each of us will give an account for every
invisible word we spoke. They are amazingly powerful things, words are.
“Father, help me craft words that heal, reflect your character, bring
your love, and soothe the wounds of life today. May I use words for your
purposes today and not mine. Even better, give me your words to speak for your
words are pure and holy and loving and true. They are words of life from a
heart of love. May I be a purveyor of your words today.”
